WASHINGTON (CNN) - Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama is heading west next week to campaign in two states he hopes to turn blue this November.

The Senator from Illinois is scheduled to hold a campaign event in Albuquerque on Monday and Las Vegas on Tuesday. CNN considers Nevada a battleground or swing state as both parties think they can win Nevada in the general election. President Bush carried Nevada in 2004, but by only two points over John Kerry.

CNN considers New Mexico a state that leans Republican, but the Obama campaign has the state in its sights. President Bush won New Mexico four years ago as well, but by only one percent, and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is a major Obama supporter.

But geography may also comes into play. Arizona borders both states and is the home state of Obama’s rival, Sen. John McCain.

The presumptive GOP presidential nominee will also be in the west next week. He starts his week with fundraisers and campaign events in California.

soundoff(216 Responses)

Hey give the guy a break, I think he'll make a great president can't do worse than what we got.......
ps..loose the seal, it's a dump idea

June 21, 2008 05:42 pm at 5:42 pm |

Frank O'Neil

ATTN: Swannie & aware

Where have you guys been for the past 7 years and half as our country has been runned to the ground?
Now we hear you guys critisized someone who haven't even had a chance to run the country for a single day.

Aware, what is yourdefinition of presidential material? SUGGESTION: Has to be smarter than ...say... BUSH? I thing he qualifies

Swannie: You must really thing people in "so called" Red States are stupid enough (maybe some like you are) to just vote party line regardless of how the country is runned.... You keep that train of thoughts and you are in for a hudge surprise in NOVEMVER.

June 21, 2008 05:44 pm at 5:44 pm |

Amber

Swannie- he didn't make the logo for the purpose: "to convey, a false impression of sponsorship or approval by the Government of the United States or by any department, agency, or instrumentality thereof." It's just a logo- get over yourself.

Half Honkey all Donkey!
Barack the Vote 08!!!!

June 21, 2008 05:44 pm at 5:44 pm |

raheen

You can take these states.Go Obama this is not about red blue its about the amercia people and change is need it .Obama08

June 21, 2008 05:47 pm at 5:47 pm |

Brian

Jan, I think your first 3 words sum up what all Bush supporters think:

"I can't think"

213 days until the Constitution will become relevant again!

2,475 since 9/11 and Bin Laden has NOT been caught "Dead of Alive"

June 21, 2008 05:50 pm at 5:50 pm |

Peter Damoah-Afari

That is great! Go on Obama!

McCBush will loose in November......LOL

June 21, 2008 05:52 pm at 5:52 pm |

Rick in Az

It just simply amazes me how so many people have a better opinion of McSame than most of us in His own state..

June 21, 2008 05:52 pm at 5:52 pm |

Ilona Proud Canadian

Hello Barack Supporters,

I'm back after just a couple of days of semi-vacation!

It doesn't seem like I've missed very much though. Just thought that I will share some info with you, though you may already be aware of this.

Barack is going to pursue ALL 50 STATES in his bid for the White House! NO STATE IS GOING TO BE LEFT OUT. He is going to make sure that he is known in all States. This is going to be an AWESOME PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. And believe me, I am going to be following it right through to the "BITTER" end. I am hoping that Barack wins by a landslide!

YES YOU CAN, YES YOU WILL!

GOOD LUCK BARACK (AND HILLARY) SUPPORTERS! We are rooting for you!

June 21, 2008 05:55 pm at 5:55 pm |

Peter Damoah-Afari

@ swannie:

I don't think you have any message for the people. Why not vanish from this room, and let sensible people who want to see a great and meaningful change in US history discuss sensible issues.

June 21, 2008 05:56 pm at 5:56 pm |

Linda

Senator Obama is our best hope for president. He needs to keep talking about all of the issues that are important to all of us. The ruthless politican you are talking about wants to keep us in a war for the next 50 to 100 years. I care about my grandchildren's future, I want them to have one!

June 21, 2008 05:57 pm at 5:57 pm |

Paul

Why so many Muslims supporting Obama, when he treats their religion like a disease?

June 21, 2008 05:57 pm at 5:57 pm |

Kevin, ABQ NM

Well, I've lived the last decade in AZ and NM, and McCain isn't all that popular out west anymore...Richardson is though. I'm pretty sure that Obama can turn NM; not so certain of Nevada, however. Obama IS certainly a politician, though not at all a "typcial" one. McCain, however, lacks the intellectual dynamism and vision needed to lead our country through the difficult national and global changes that are coming. His age and health are a genuine concern as well; this office ages people 5 to 10 years for every one. I'm worried that McCain, if elected, will die in office, making his VP selection just as important,and potentially troubling, as his own nomination. I'm actually gratified by Obama's decision to turn down public funding; by utilizing his base, rather than the government-limited "public" funds, Obama has access to considerably more resources than his Republican counterpart. Further, since his campaign contributors are primarily small donors (nearly 2 million of them!), and he refuses lobbyist contributions, his campaign is one of the most public and democratically financed campaigns in history. I look forward to the general election; it should be quite something.

June 21, 2008 05:59 pm at 5:59 pm |

Independent

Hi mr aware,iam forigien woman i love to have president USA 3rd
term bush YOU KNOW WHAT I am talking about mr aware.

June 21, 2008 06:00 pm at 6:00 pm |

Pam from San Francisco

As a true-blue American, I can easily say that we are so desperate for change as a country that if the current Mars mission found a Martian to bring back to Earth to become U.S. president, I'd vote for it!!!

Luckily, we have Barack who not only offers a needed change from the status quo, but who is also qualified by his intelligence, unique aptitudes/gifts, and cumulative experience. Yes, because he's human he's not perfect, but Barack is at least willing to admit his foibles and missteps and return his focus to the greater good, which is for the betterment of the country.

Speaking of Mars, by the way - Mars is not too far away for Bush's retirement. Certainly we could tie him to a rocket and get him there! Maybe from Mars he can finally get a perspective of the damage he and his corporate rot-brained cohorts have wreaked on this precious planet with their unspeakable stupidity and greed.
Pam
San Francisco

June 21, 2008 06:02 pm at 6:02 pm |

Isidoro from Germany

still marching up to Zion! Go Barack, go! The Lord be with you all the way!

June 21, 2008 06:05 pm at 6:05 pm |

Bill, Covington

Aware:

Good thoughts except fof the final.

"Smart – you bet! Wise – not at all!........

If I could be guarenteed the words he speeks were his own I might believe he was smart. I believe he has speech writers puting words in his mouth that his handlers have suggested.
He is a graduate of Harvard, yet there is no paper trail. He never wrote anything. That is by design, nothing to pin down his philosophy. that's by design. Just like voting "present" again that is by design.
Wake up America! This punk is as dangerous to our way of life as Adolph Hitler, only more so.